Hua Hin Tourist Information
Hua Hin Thailand , the beach town for Bangkok's elite is on the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand, 170 km south of Bangkok, lying astride the southern Highway 4 from km 224 to km 245. Following the international trend for recuperative spa resorts in1920's, Hua Hin became a popular retreat for Thai Royal Family, Bangkok's high society, and affluent foreigners. Although Hua Hin's fortunes declined after WW II, its historical connections have helped it become popular again with a new generation of Bangkokians. The town has two main streets. For those who arrive on the train, the main street, Damnern Kasem boulevard leads from the stately Hua Hin railway station straight to the main Hua Hin beach.
Hua Hin is the oldest beach resort in the Kingdom of Thailand. Hua Hin has been transformed from a fishing village in a fashionable beach resort in the 1920's with the construction of the Hua Hin railway station here in the reign of King Rama VI (1910-1925) and the Klai Kangwon summer palace during the reign of King Rama VII in 1926. The Thai Royal Family still frequently uses the summer palace in Hua Hin. The Maruekatayawan Palace was constructed by His Majesty King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in 1923 as a place where he could fully relax in great comfort. The beautiful, colonial style Railway Hotel (known now as Sofitel Central Hua Hin Resort) was built near Hua Hin's famous rocks in 1923 by the State Railway Authority. In 1924 Thailand's first golf course opened, the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course.
Visitor to Hua Hin will still sense this special atmosphere and old world charm. Besides sun-filled days on the mile-long beach there are leisure activities for the whole family from watersports to golf.
The area around the town let's you discover fabulous parks and peaks, caves and waterfalls. It is an ideal starting point for your adventure trips.
In the evening the winding roads with a great variety of shops make a great stroll. And the restaurants built on stilts into the sea offer superb seafood in the legendary and unsurpassed preparation of the Thai cuisine.
A numerous family day tours are available via local travel agents in Hua Hin. The most popular tours are: Hua Hin & Cha Am Discovery, Hua Hin By Night, Pala-U Waterfall & Elephant Riding, Diving and Snorkeling at Koh Talu, Huay Yang Waterfall, Kayaking at Khao Daeng, Petchaburi tour, River Kwai Elephant Riding & Rafting Tour, Hua Hin Night Fishing Boats trips, Koh Tao diving tours. Some of the travel agencies can organise adventure trips into national parks and jungle survival programs
Hua Hin Beach
Hua Hin beach stretches about 4 kilometers from the town center to Khao Takiab. Hua Hin beach is well know for its spectacular sunrises. Hua Hin beach is newer overcrowded and you can always find a quiet little spot. The white sand makes it one of the best beach streaches in on the Gulf of Thailand.
Hua Hin name (Hua Hin - head stone) is derived from the rock formations that can be seen on the beach in front of the Sofitel Central Hotel.
For those who are a little more adventurous, pony rides can be taken and for those simply relaxing there are plenty of deck chairs, sun loungers and beach umbrellas available for a small hourly charge.
Further south of town, behind Khao Takiab there is Suan Son beach. It is named after the numerous pine trees that fringe the beach. This is a popular spot for locals not very often visited by westeners.
Hua Hin and the west coast of the Gulf are becoming well known for windsurfing and para-sailing with strong northeasterly winds and clean offshore waters. Equipment can be rented from the main hotelsIf you require more speed you can try water skiing or the jet ski. Both sports will give you a real adrenalin rush. You can have lessens under a qualified instructor. If you want family fun than you can try ride on banana boat. This a great fun filled experience. You can enjoy exiting bumpy ride on board big banana boat. The pulling speed scooter will twists and turns in the water trying to throw you off.

Elephant polo
The sport of elephant polo was founded in Nepal in the year 1982 and it was extended to Thailand in 2001. It was adapted from equestrian polo. It has the potential for becoming a popular sport in Thailand because this country has numerous gifted mahouts who can easily train elephants to play polo.
Annually, an elephant polo tournament will be held around September at the Somdet Phra Suriyothai grounds in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
On the morning of the competition day, there is a ceremony of blessing the elephants. It is believed that there are at least five guardian spirits residing in each elephant. After the blessing ceremony is completed, the elephant parade began. The competitors and their elephants form a long line of procession marching along the ground.

The most important factor in the tournament is not human beings but elephants! Usually, the elephants who join the competition must be gentle and friendly in nature. There are no restrictions on the sex of the elephants so they can be either male or female.The height of the elephants should be between 2 and 2.5 metres.
The size of the pitch is approximately the size of the football ground, so it is large enough for elephants to run. The two umpires will mount on one referee elephant. You can notice the referee elephant easily because, normally, it is the largest elephant on the ground. When the chief umpire, from outside the centre circle, throws the ball to the ring, the game begins. The game consists of two chukkers of 10 minutes each with an interval of 15 minutes.
The game of elephant polo provides you with not only with a competition as you can enjoy in addittion a variety of performances of elephants. This a game not to be missed.

Thai cooking classes.
Discover the secrets of Thai cuisine. Learn how to blend spices, identify herbs and produce an exquisite Thai meal from the experts.
There are some good cooking schools in Hua Hin. Some courses emphasize hands-on practice while others are "watch and eat" sessions. They will teach basic skills that will enable you to make your favourite dishes at home.
Usually the schools will let you choose the recipes, but a number have very specific curricula based on menus served at their restaurants. Some offer Schools in the provinces usually offer classes on regional specialities as well as national favourites, and there is no reason to limit yourself to just tom yam kung and phad Thai.
A trip to the traditional open-air market is part of the total learning experience so they learn how the fresh ingredients are selected. Discussions also offer insight into fascinating Thai culinary traditions.
Regardless of their prior culinary experience, participants learn new skills such as how to blend fresh herbs and spices using traditional utensils such as the mortar, pestle and the coconut grinder. They find out about the great variety of Thai vegetables, herbs and fruits.
All the good hotels in Hua Hin with a Thai restaurant can probably arrange a class for you. Cooking schools run by major hotels are on average more expensive, but meals are generally included. Some schools even offer sessions on how to select menu and order at restaurants.


Markets and shops 